My Father & Step-Mother did all the piecing of their quilt tops from second hand clothing by machine but when it came to quilting it they mounted in on a wooden frame that was suspended from the family room ceiling using a pulley system my father designed. When friends and family came to visit they would drop it down into position, start the coffee and those interested would grab a needle and thread and start quilting. He managed to complete a queen size quilt every year for some lucky senior in his church.
As for myself, most of the quilts I make are for resale and are done completely by machine, it does save a tremendous amount of time. For my family and special friends I have made many by hand and with each stitch many warm thoughts and prayers are sent their way, I feel, by doing this.
As for a dieing art, I think not! In my circle of friends and the guild I'm a member of, it surprised me to find how many of the younger people, those under 25, are in fact hand quilting. It's here to stand though not a common as it once was.